Abilene Christian University — ROI, Cost & Payback
Abilene Christian University charges a net price of $26,182/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $104,728. Graduates earn a median $55,736 ten years after entry, $7,376/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 14.2 years — a 20-year net return of $42,792, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Abilene Christian University's 14.2-year payback ranks #938 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 27% of them, and #46 of 213 in Texas.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $26,182/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $104,728 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $55,736 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $7,376/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $24,250 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 14.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $42,792 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Abilene Christian University's own numbers. Net price $26,182 × 4 years = $104,728 total. Median earnings $55,736 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $7,376 a year of premium. $104,728 ÷ $7,376 = 14.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $42,792. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Abilene Christian University students graduate with?
A median $24,250 in federal loans among completers, or 44% of the $55,736 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Abilene Christian University students graduate?
59% finish their degree — 41% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $104,728 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $177,505 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Abilene Christian University expensive compared with other Texas colleges?
Its $26,182 net price runs $6,823 above the $19,359 median across the 213 Texas colleges we profile, or $27,292 more across the full degree.